The UK Government is delaying new environmental building rules
The Government is making a delay in putting new environmental laws into effect that force developers to improve countryside and wildlife habitats in order to save nature and the ecosystem. The new policies of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) are meant to become a mandatory part of the planning system, and for England, the time was scheduled for November.
However, the Governmental sources assured that the new policies will not be introduced this year. Environmentalists have greatly lamented the situation as it is “another hammer blow for nature” according to The Wildlife Trusts. Previously, the Government said that they are committed to the new green policies that will be soon implemented this year. But now, it seems like it will take more time for the development.
The policy for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) was approved in 2021 as a part of the Environmental Act. The rules of the policy are specially crafted to ensure that building developers leave the natural environment in a better state than before which is measurable and shows positive effects. But the political uncertainty is becoming a major obstacle on the course the government is trying to eliminate “nutrient neutrality” pollution rules while watering down the policies of gaining net zero.
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) said that delayed implementation of BNG can greatly affect and “hurt green businesses and development”. Richard Benwell, CEO of the environmental coalition group Wildlife & Countryside Link, said that BNG had “already been pared back to the bare minimum to offset the habitat harm caused by new development”. He further added that the delay of the recent policies “could strike at the foundations”.
On the other hand, the Home Builders Federation said that the developers “have embraced the principle of biodiversity net gain” however, it consists of “significant gaps” in the guidance of the Government. The federation’s managing director, Neil Jefferson said that the delay will “not only prohibit local authorities’ abilities to effectively manage this new requirement but inevitably lead to further delays in the planning process”. He further added, “We need the government to deliver on its requirements so that industry can provide these huge environmental benefits alongside desperately needed new homes.”
Philip Box, UKGBC’s public affairs and policy advisor, said, “Businesses from across the industry and our membership have raised concerns regarding any potential delay. This would be exceptionally damaging for them in terms of projected work pipelines, investment, supply chains, and related job roles.” Sue Young, head of land use planning for The Wildlife Trusts, said, “Attempts to delay or weaken rules for biodiversity net gain would deliver yet another hammer blow for nature from the current UK government,” She further added that it would “cause uncertainty for developers and could affect the quality of schemes”.
Georgia Stokes, CEO at Somerset Wildlife Trust, said, “It feels unnecessary for there to be a delay and we’re quite shocked that that’s where we’ve ended up. We need the government to take action.” Now, it is time to see whether the Government takes action or not!
Brian Johnson – Market Movers
Brian Johnson works as an editor and emphasizes around breaking news stories. He has a Master’s Degree of BBA in Accounting and Finance. He is a dynamic worker spending most of his time analyzing earnings reports and observing commodities and results. He loves to play music and go out shopping in his spare time. He prepares staff on the better purposes of writing, editing and getting the news out on time correctly. Also, Brian Johnson focuses mainly on the effects of activity on the marketplace. He is an editor and reporter of “Market Movers” category.
